Trikweze Bridges Focusing on Cornerback in 2022

The Oregon Geese gave produced a few of school soccer’s most electrical gamers. To try this they’ve pursued recruits which might be flat-out quick. Gamers that may discover success everywhere in the subject and in any place because of their pace. 

Trikweze Bridges is an ideal instance.

Bridges dedicated to the Geese as a three-star security out of Lanette, Alabama. Earlier than final season, he switched to cornerback. Now, it seems like he’ll keep there as an everyday — whereas sustaining the pliability to get it completed at any defensive again place.

“I can be taking part in nook this season,” Bridges instructed reporters following Wednesday’s observe. “I wish to play completely different positions, I wish to have the opportunity assist the crew out in some ways.”

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“Nook security, nickel, quarterback if I’ve to. Wherever the coaches really feel I am greatest at, however proper now it is nook.”

Bridges did not see his first begin at cornerback till the Geese took on their cross-state rival Oregon State in late November. His audition was successful, and he began the ultimate two video games of the season.

In these disappointing losses to Utah and Oklahoma, Bridges was a vivid spot. Within the Pac-12 Championship, he grabbed his first interception. Within the Alamo Bowl, the 6-foot-3 defensive again had a career-high seven tackles to go together with his first pressured fumble and sort out for loss.

Now, Bridges could possibly be subsequent in line on the depth chart for Oregon behind switch Christian Gonzales, who figures to be the highest nook for the Geese. What might shock some is that Bridges has truly performed extra nook than security since coming to Eugene, however he is nonetheless prepared to maneuver spots at a second’s discover.

“After I first acquired right here they moved me to nook, so I have been taking part in extra nook right here than security,” mentioned Bridges. “And security is simply one thing I all the time performed in highschool, and I understand how to play it. So it isn’t a giant change, simply figuring out the performs and figuring out what to do.”

It is a mentality that new cornerbacks coach and passing recreation coordinator Demetrice Martin is attempting to instill in Oregon’s defensive backs. Martin appears like he is intent on discovering the very best gamers to fill out the secondary on this 12 months’s crew and transferring ahead, inserting a premium on versatility. 

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“Coach Lanning is huge on cross-training guys, getting guys to play a number of positions,” mentioned Martin. “We recruit guys to be defensive backs, not simply essentially a nook or a security.”

After final 12 months’s Geese acquired bit by the harm bug, it is relieving to listen to Martin guaranteeing that his defensive backs can adapt and step up in any given scenario.

When Martin moved on from Colorado to hitch Oregon, he introduced with him a brand new lockdown cornerback in Gonzales. Whereas the CB2 spot continues to be up for grabs, Bridges figures to be closely within the combine because the opener approaches towards Georgia. 

The subsequent participant with essentially the most expertise at nook is Dontae Manning, who Bridges cut up snaps with final season behind Mykael Wright and DJ James. After that, there are lots of intriguing younger gamers who’re preventing for his or her spot on the depth chart like Jahlil Florence, who joined the crew within the spring and blazing quick Texas product Khamari Terrell.

Bridges can be one of many key gamers for the Geese’ secondary within the 202 season, irrespective of the place he strains up.

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Comply with Graham on Twitter: @grahammetzker

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